Luebeck

Luebeck is the nearest city to Travemuende, the small coastal town where I am currently working. I have made several trips into the city this month and am always struck by how beautiful it is. Last year when I was here, I don't think I appreciated it enough as it was the first European city (other than Rome) I had visited. Now that I have seen a lot more of Europe, I would highly recommend a stop in Luebeck. It's most famous landmark is the medieval city gate, the Halstentor, which was unfortunately covered in scaffolding last year. It used to be featured on one of the German notes (the DM50 i think...) and is pretty cool - it even has a bit of a lean to it... who needs Pisa!

The town square, or marktplatz is surrounded by the Rathaus (town hall) which has been added to over the centuries in a few different styles and is an interesting building.

My favourite building in the city is the Marienkirche. It is the 3rd largest church in Germany (apparently) and is one of my favourites. It was totally destroyed by bombs in the war, but has been reconstructed beautifully.

As a memorial to the bombing, the church bells were left where they fell.

One of the great artworks in the church before the bombing was a frieze called the Totentanz. It was painted during the Plague to show that death could affect everyone, regardless of social standing. It showed Death dancing with a young girl as well as archbishops and kings. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the bombing, but has been replaced with stained glass windows with the same theme.

The last feature of the Marienkirche that is pretty cool is outside the church. A statue of the devil sitting outside the church. The accompanying story is in the photo.

The big tourist attraction of Luebeck is Marzipan. This is where Niederegger invented Marzipan and there is a whole museum devoted to it. The Niederegger store is full of all sorts of marzipan treats and is quite funny in the range. Outside in the windows, are some of the great buildings of the world - remodelled in Marzipan.

And inside, just to highlight the German obsession with all things pig... Marzipan sausages and hams...

But don't worry, you can get vegetables too (also made out of Marzipan!):

I was never a big fan of Marzipan before coming to Luebeck, but I must admit it is really quite good... perhaps they make it a bit differently here...